Tackling Overcrowding: Classroom Construction in San Felipe Chenlá
Partnering Organization:
- SEED Alliance – Proudly working together since 2012 on 18 community development projects in Guatemala.
Cost: $1,300.00 + Flight Cost & Travel Insurance
Departure City: Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, St. John's and Ottawa
Departure Date:
August 14, 2019
Return Date:
August 21, 2019
Departure City: Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, St. John's and Ottawa
Departure Date:
August 14, 2019
Return Date:
August 21, 2019
THE NEED
This project will see the completion of 2 new classrooms in San Felipe Chenla, Guatemala, by August 2019. These classrooms are in response to the growing demand for education and will especially impact students in the first two grades of primary school. The beneficiaries of this project are 80 children of the school between the ages of 7 to 12 years old and 2 teachers. They are currently operating in two classrooms (pictured below) built of wood with a sheet roof that has many holes, which is very uncomfortable especially during the winter (May to October). In winter, which is the third month of each school year, rainwater seeps through the holes in the roof of each classroom and the teacher is forced to suspend classes. Students attempt to continue their lessons and homework at home, but many of their parents do not have the appropriate level of education to assist them. The study "Infrastructure School and Learning in Latin American Education" by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), indicates that students who study in schools with better infrastructure conditions, feel more interested in attending classes and obtain better grades. That is why educational centers must have spaces that guarantee well-being and facilitate learning and teaching processes.
TRIP LOGISTICS
- Volunteers will stay in a classroom connected to the existing school infrastructure. They will have electricity and latrines.
- Meals will consist of rice, beans, tortillas, fruit/vegetables, and some meat.
- SOS groups generally work for about 6 hours a day, for 4-5 days of the 1 week Outreach Trip.
- Tasks will include but are not limited to: digging trenches, cutting and tying rebar, laying bricks, moving supplies, and mixing cement.
- Every group is overseen by a foreman during construction days and any work requiring technical training will be financed by SOS
- You’ll have the late afternoon/evenings and two Rest Days throughout the trip to relax, explore the local area and participate in the local community.
- During Rest Days, your group will visit the scenic Panajachel. Known for its location on, and views of Lake Atitlan, Panajachel is one of the most popular of the 11 towns surrounding Lake Atitlan. SOS volunteers will travel to Panajachel, tour the famous Calle Santander, and take a boat tour to San Juan La Laguna. In San Juan, they will be met by Casa del Tejido, who will provide a coffee production and textile production tour. Casa del Tejido offers a variety of products made by the Maya artisans, using 100% cotton, natural colors, creative designs and high quality products for a fair price to support the Mayan families of San Juan la Laguna. Visit http://casadeltejidoytours.org/ for more information.
What's Included?
SOS volunteers sleep in available community structures (classrooms, community centers, churches), and live as close to the conditions of the community as possible.
SOS works directly with Flight Centre to process all volunteers' Outreach Trip logistics from your travel insurance to your in country needs like clean drinking water and accommodations!
Three meals a day plus clean drinking water and snacks! Meals will consist of rice, beans, tortillas, and fruit/vegetables. Soups, stews, and pasta dishes are common as well. Most dietary restrictions and allergies can accommodated.
SOS works exclusively with registered non governmental organizations in every community to ensure our volunteers have the best experience possible.
